ty Bruce!! I guess they're one of the best programs in the NW. Fargo has a great progam...but alas...he wants Bozeman. Can't say I blame him. There is more to "do" there. We lose a lot of student's to Bozeman. He was "just checking" things out, and he went white water rafting, hiking...yada, yada, yada. The state offers more. Not like that's a North Dakota problem. We are who we are and we do what we do. We're pretty layed back...as you well know. We hunt and fish but thats about it. He's young and wants to "do it all". Which is a great thing. Anyway... I support him and the Great State of North Dakota!!
Ty for asking my Gundo baby...he's going into...errrr ahhh...how do you spell it... you know blue prints,...those that build homes...starts with and A and there is a CH in there some where, I think. I cant spell it!! What Mike Brady did on the Brady Bunch...yeh thats it, thats the ticket. ugh!!!!!! Where did I put that dictionary.... (ps thank you for the correction on Bozeman)
We're not a 4 year college, but I'm glad my son is getting his generals done here. He plans to go to Bowsman soon...(too soon if you ask me, but I'm not ready to see him leave) but he needs to do what he feels is best for him. But, maybe if we were a 4 year college it might help the city. The whole college community turns me off do to the things like more bars (like we dont have enough). I just don't know how we would "intertain" these young kids at this time. I think when the Community Builders get there projects jump started, and when we ALL start backing the VC board on the mosquito issue, we really will be one step toward that 4 year college. I mean really, how many kids all go to Fargo, Grand Forks...ect to attend college. All of our money really does go to the east side of the state. Geeze, what can we do? I feel lost on these issues. (Ps...did I spell Bowsman correctly?)
Considering we're looking for permanent full time employees to fill positions in Williston, would you want to offer some of these bennies? If the 401k isn't expensive to offer, would that be a selling point to get more reliable, mature employees?
As of now, Williston really isn't a "college" town even though we have a 2 year school. So if there are people that want good paying jobs NOT in the oilfield, I would think serving at a restaurant that could provide a few of the bennies that the oilfield doesn't might help.
Again, Jeremy, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and provide your insight.
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
I took a trip in the "way back machine" and yes, Tips are taxable, but many dont claim them. Back in the 1990's you had to claim 10 percent of your tips. HUMMM, so if you employees are making 21 bucks an hour...I hope and pray they are honest, and Not leaving "it" all up to us.
Tips are taxable when they are reported to the buisness.
Benefits such as 401K & Health insurance are out there with some establishments but I would guess Gundo is right in that mostly they are from bigger franchises. 401K is not a huge expense for buisnesses but most young people that work at restaurants don't even look at that in their decision for employment. Most of the time retirement is for managers only and not all the staff.
Health insurance is a huge benefit as most of us know. It is crazy expensive to get on your own without going through your employer. I would say that it is just like the 401K in that franchise restaurants would offer it due to their size. I have looked into getting some health insurance for some of my staff and it is not cheap! I have to pay a minimum of 50% of a single policy. A single policy is around $250-300 per month depending on some variables. If a buisness only has a couple of employees then the benefit would be more beneficial to keeping employees is they could offer it. I have currently 27 employees. I have talked with them and I am at around 80-90% that would take it if they were offered it. Add that up quick would be around $2750 per month that I would have to pay for my part. (85% of employees = 20 @ $137.50/person) That is a huge expense! That is why you don't see a ton of smaller buisnesses offer the benefit until they reach a size or profit margin that allows them too. Just some info for ya!
Excellent points, Jeremy. Thanks for your insight.
Are tips taxable? Are the restaurants providing bennies like health insurance, 401k, etc... to their full time employees?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
Steve, I know that some places in town pay the state minimum wage for servers which is $4.39/hour. I believe that some others pay the regular minimum wage currently at $6.55/hour. Is it wrong to pay only the state minimum?? That could be debated all day long. I ask my staff from time to time what they are making in tips just to check that they are having a good night. Almost every time I ask, they are making anywhere from $15-25 dollars an hour with tips alone. If you were to add that to say the lower wage = $19-29/hour. That is a pretty good wage overall. I understand that it can be argued that you can base a wage on tips they may or may not receive. Restaurants that have the liquor and beer option also most of the time produce bigger tips than does a place without because of higher check totals. (Most people tip off of the total bill at the end) To get back to your point, Steve, does paying just the minimum hurt businesses in getting more employees?? I would say yes and no. If a server is working at a place that has lower check totals (no liquor) the owners/managers have a tendancy to pay more per hour to help with the overall money made by the servers. The opposite is true on establishments that have higher check totals. Payroll is one of the biggest expense for businesses and to run a more profitable business some would take a look hard at what they are paying and go with the lower state rate to help the bottom line. Does this hinder the place of business from getting more employees? That is for each business to decide and change if needed. I think the businesses need to adjust to the times at hand and if a bigger base rate would gain more employees, why not? Again, is it right?? Does a server deserve to make more than just over $4/hour, yes. Does a server need to make $10/hour plus tips in a high check establishment, probably not. I have worked in restaurants for many years and have seen servers put themselves through college with the money they make. I have seen single mother and fathers support themselves and kids too while serving. The money is out there if you are good at it. Just throwing out there some information and thoughts.
Jeremy, labor laws in North Dakota allow restaurants to pay less than the minimum wage to waiters/waitresses due to the tips they can earn. Does this hinder finding the help our restaurants need? Are the restaurants in Williston paying the regular state minimum wage?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
I agree with skm, go get that degree. And those restaurants NEED to start paying more. I talked to a waitress and she said they haven't gotten a cost of living raise at all, their manager said if they were doing their job right, they would be getting better tips. There needs to be a cost of living raise!!!
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My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master.
I know of sooooo many kids who have left college to come home to work. The money isnt worth an education. Who's to say this oil will last, but Nobody can take away your education degree. WE need a 4 year college!! And, these resturants need to buck up and pay more. 21 dollars is hard to refuse to some kids. Leave the drilling to us...you kids, go get that degree.
Steve, You are completely correct in that in a town with a 4-year college a majority of the workers for restaurants are college students. I was the GM of the Applebee's in Jamestown and I had 80% of my staff from the college. The college students that I did have were mostly 20-23 years of age. With Williston only having a 2 year college, most of the students have graduated and moved on by the age of 20. My liquor license only allows me to have 21 and older employees working and this is even harder than say an Applebee's or Pierce's. I have heard talk about WSC looking at expanding their curiculum to include 4 year degrees but it is probably only talk. I believe they would have to build more dorms, add degree programs, expand or update some facilities and I am sure many more things that I am not aware of. If it could be done, I would hope that the powers that be would be working towards that goal for the benefit of the community. My 2 cents.
When you go to restaurants in the bigger cities like Fargo, Grand Forks, etc...aren't the ones who typically work there college students? So is it safe to say that we could be looking harder at building our student enrollment to help fill needed jobs? Can anyone tell me if WSC has ever looked at moving towards a 4 year program? If Williston is big enough to be the 5th largest city in sales tax revenue, aren't we then big enough to have a 4 year college?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
I would never open a "new" restaraunt in Williston right now. IF and that is a BIG IF you could staff it with quality employees you could make a killing. But it would be very difficult to find quality staff.
Seeing as how the City has now made a new Liquor License class to favor your places that serve "adult beverages" with food. Do you think this will entice more building?
I'm sure it would be nice to have a few more choices. But if those choices are more "box" places (ie, fridays, applebees, or some other pizza joint like old chicagos) is it in the best interest? But I'm sure something is better than nothing.
oh, and where are these extra needed hard to find employees going to stay?
(ps thank you for the correction on Bozeman)
